5

Chapter 502 That's How It's Done

"

"We'll have so much fun this weekend," Decker said enthusiastically.

He noticed an almost imperceptible muscle work in Jax's jaw. The expression in Scarlett's eyes reminded him of the time when she was five and her red balloon slipped out of her hand and floated up to the sky. She'd cried so hard, he had to go back and get her another.

"Dad . . ." Scarlett interrupted hesitantly.

"I'll get some ribs to BBQ," Decker said ignoring her attempt at interrupting him. Scarlett needed to hear about all the fun the three of them were going to have together. "Maybe three or four racks of baby backs. I want your opinion, Jax, on building a place to store some jet skis so next summer we'll get jet skis for the three of us or maybe only two and we can share."

"Dad . . ." Scarlett's voice was a little more urgent this time.

"I'll get some sandwiches from that place you like so much," Decker said continuing to ignore Scarlett, "Maybe they'll have that wild rice salad that's your favorite. I'll make strawberry shortcake for dessert."

Scarlett's green eyes narrowed as she looked at her father.

"He's playing us," she said to Jax..

"That's how it's done," Decker said chuckling. "Too much fun. The expressions on your faces when you thought I thought you were inviting me," Decker laughed so hard his body shook. "And then Scarlett tried to interrupt desperately," Decker gasped out the words before laughing again.

"You aren't coming to the lake house this weekend?" Jax asked carefully.

"I hadn't planned on it, unless you really want me there," Decker said.

"Uh, no," Jax said quickly. "Scars and I will be fine on our own."

"You are much better at concealing your feelings than Scarlett," Decker said. "I could see the horror on her face, but then, I know her a lot better."

"Not horror," Scarlett protested. "I was just surprised."

"So, you won't mind if I stay at the lake house this weekend with you?"

Decker saw Jax and Scarlett exchange looks. He had to work to keep from laughing again. It was painfully obvious that the two of them had been planning a romantic getaway and having him along would ruin that.

"He's still messing with us," Scarlett assured Jax.

"I'm going to let you two sort this out," Jax said giving Scarlett a kiss on the cheek. "I need some sleep. Good night."

"Good night," Scarlett and Decker said in unison.

Decker enjoyed watching Jax and Scarlett together. Jax brought out the light hearted happy side to Scarlett that he hadn't seen since she got involved with her psycho ex. He didn't know if she would ever trust a man again after that. He knew she trusted Jax within limits.

Tonight, Scarlett appeared outwardly calm enough, but he knew how much his daughter was worried about Jax. He saw the fear lift from her shoulders when Jax called her to let her know that he would be back soon.

When Jax walked through the door tonight, Jax's face was gray with exhaustion but the second he saw Scarlett, his face lit up. There was no doubt in Decker's mind that Jax was deeply in love with his daughter.

Decker watched as Scarlett laid her face against Jax's chest and he knew that she felt safe in his arms. It was important for him to know that Scarlett was with a man who would keep her safe. Jax was a tough guy, but he also had this tender side when he was with Scarlett.

He knew that they were in love before they did. He also knew that within six months of Jax fixing up his house that he would ask Scarlett to marry him. While Jax may have gone through a lot of women, once he found the woman he wanted in his life Decker had a feeling that he wouldn't hesitate to make things permanent.

"You were very naughty for teasing us tonight," Scarlett scolded her father.

He laughed.

"It took you long enough to figure it out. Each time I ignored you trying to interrupt me, you got a little more desperate. Jax just looked at you like this was your problem to deal with. So much fun and you have to take your fun where you find it."

"Glad we could give you some fun tonight."

"You need to talk to Jax about helping you with your therapy. You could get better even faster."

Scarlett nodded.

"I know. I just hate him to see how messed up I am."

"He loves you. If you never got any better, he would still love you. It's also not a surprise. I've seen the way he picks things up for you if you drop something or the way he holds his arm out to you to help you stand."

"It's just stupid pride. He's always been really good about helping me and he never gets impatient. He never makes me feel bad that I can't walk as fast or I'm holding him back."

"If you don't talk to him, when I move to town, I'll be over every day to give you some extra therapy."

Scarlett laughed.

"That's a horrifying thought. You're right though. It's just embarrassing that I can't lift my legs and a lot of my therapy is my therapist helping me strengthen the muscles so I can lift them. At least I'm not in as much pain. I used to take three rounds of pain medication at night when it first happened."

"You're going to talk to Jax?"

"Yes. I have been going to the clubhouse a lot to use the work out equipment. I'm going tomorrow morning. Maybe Jax will come with me and I'll talk to him then."

"Good. You've started to make good progress. I just think getting a little more therapy and you continuing to work out at the clubhouse will get you fixed faster."

"I'm not as fragile as I was when I first started therapy, but I've lost a little of the progress I've made since I haven't been in therapy for a couple of weeks. It makes sense to have some extra therapy as long as we start out really slow. I'll ask my therapist to show Jax some things that he can help me with."

"And it will give you an excuse to see him more often," Decker suggested. "If that's even possible."

"We've been together a lot because he's been protecting me."

"Uh-huh," her father said chuckling. "You are about to be rid of me. I'll be leaving here tomorrow as soon as I sign the papers to buy Hale's house."

"It's going to be nice living in the same town. With psycho ex locked up, it feels like everything is getting back to the way it should be."

"You still need to be careful. Jax lives in a dangerous world."

"Don't forget there's a serial killer on the loose and I fit the victim profile,"

"Believe me, That's always in the back of my mind."

Decker didn't like the idea of Scarlett playing detective and trying to find a serial killer. Just as the danger from her psycho ex was receding, the danger she was in from some unknown serial killer was just beginning.